Our Mission is to transform us-versus-them attitudes by connecting individuals face to face with those they have been taught to fear.  We create a safe space where participants can develop personal connections based on empathy and respect.  Together, they acquire the communication and leadership skills necessary to address the root causes of hate, discrimination, and violent conflict.

Our Impact is clear.  After 18 years of programming, nearly 2,000 alumni from Israel, Palestine, Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the United States, have had the opportunity to attend one of our programs.  They represent diversity in terms of race, class, religion, sexual orientation, and physical ability.  Our evaluation research demonstrates that they feel an increased sense of empathy for people they thought were different from themselves.  They build confidence, as they acquire the skills to speak their minds and to act as leaders in their home communities.   They feel more hopeful about the future, and inspired to take part in social change projects.  And finally, the participants build foundational relationships with people they would not likely have had the opportunity to meet, some of which will last a lifetime.

In 2009, we released the SCG Report on Theory, Best Practices, and Evaluation which details our program model and evaluation efforts.  We are proud to conduct ongoing evaluation with our participants, and use the insights we learn from them to continually improve our program.